Decline in motorists fined for using their mobile

Fines for drivers using their phone behind the wheel have dropped by 86 per cent, according to recent figures.

A report from the Home Office indicates that just 16,900 motorists in England and Wales were given a fixed penalty notice for using their phone while driving in 2015, compared with 123,000 in 2011.

The 2015 figure represents a 43% decrease on the previous 12 months. Previous research has found police on UK roads are up to a third less since 2010 due to budget cuts, and could be a primary factor behind the decrease in fines for motorists.

The Government plans to increase the penalties imposed on drivers using their mobile from 2017. Offenders will receive double the current penalty, which will result in a £200 fine and six penalty points.

The general attitude from motorists towards using mobile phones while driving also appears to have relaxed, suggests a recent report from RAC. 14 per cent of drivers said it is acceptable to use your mobile behind the wheel, compared with seven per cent back in 2014.

Department for Transport figures show that a driver distracted by their phone contributed towards 492 accidents in Britain during 2014, including 21 that were fatal and 84 classed as serious

Welcome to Marshall Motor Group. To optimise your experience, cookie settings on the website are set to allow all cookies. By continuing your journey throughout the website, you consent to this. You can change these settings here.